Mercoledì 21 Maggio 2025, ore 13
Edificio Asclepio U8-Aula 3
► Collegamento webex
Relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents a significant unmet clinical need in children. Relapses are often driven by clones or subclones that were already present at the time of diagnosis, underscoring the importance of understanding the clonal architecture of the disease. Single-cell analysis is essential to effectively query and study these populations, thereby revealing intra-tumor heterogeneity. We employed single-cell mass cytometry to investigate cellular features associated with relapse in ALL. This advanced technology allows for the simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters at the single-cell level, providing a comprehensive view of the heterogeneity within the bulk leukemic population. By identifying specific markers and characteristics linked to relapse, we aim to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying treatment resistance and disease progression. Furthermore, integrating single-cell mass cytometry with other single-cell omics approaches, such as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq), will enable a more holistic understanding of the molecular landscape of ALL, facilitating the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Our findings highlight the potential of single-cell mass cytometry as a powerful tool for elucidating the complexities of relapsed ALL and may pave the way for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Jolanda Sarno
Dr. Jolanda Sarno
Junior Group Leader at Fondazione Tettamanti (IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori)
Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia - Università Milano-Bicocca
Jolanda Sarno is a dedicated researcher in the field of cancer, with a focus on the study of childhood leukemia. Her academic career started at the University of Napoli Federico II where she earned her Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Milano-Bicocca (2012). Jolanda pursued her PhD in Molecular and Translational Medicine (DIMET) at the University of Milano-Bicocca in 2016.
During her doctoral studies, she had the unique opportunity to be a visiting student in Garry Nolan's lab at Stanford University, where she was introduced to the innovative technology of mass cytometry (CyTOF). In 2017, Jolanda began her postdoctoral training at Stanford University in the Department of Pediatrics, working in Kara Davis's lab. There, she applied CyTOF technology to investigate acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), contributing to a deeper understanding of the disease's complexities.
In September 2023, she returned to Italy, supported by a re-integration grant from AIRC, and joined Fondazione Tettamanti at IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori as a Junior Group Leader. Starting from October 2024, Jolanda re-joined the University of Milano-Bicocca as RTD-A in the Department of Medicine and Surgery, where she is continuing her studies in the field of leukemia and mentoring the next generation of scientists.